Official Review: Souls Estranged by Anne

Cee-Jay Aurinko · Post by **Cee-Jay Aurinko** » 14 Oct 2015, 09:56

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Souls Estranged" by Anne.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Souls Estranged is a paranormal romance novel and the second book in Anne B. Cole's The Souls Trilogy. Sam and Gretta have been on an extraordinary adventure prior to the events of this book. With the aid of a dead ancestor named Roxana, their souls have been entwined within two lovers who existed back in the nineteenth century. Now, back in their own time and bodies, they are about to face new dangers. Unlike Sam, Gretta has no recollection about what happened during their adventure. The only thing she knows is the ring on her finger is cursed and the only way that she'll ever be able to protect the people she loves from its power is to run away.

The safe haven of Gretta's choosing is a little town in Virginia called Greenview. An elderly couple is going on holiday for the summer and Gretta successfully persuades them to hire her as a sitter. Everything has fallen into place for this beautiful eighteen-year-old and really, what more could she ask for? Well, it might be something as obvious as convincing Sam that she doesn't love him and that he should leave her alone, but certainly it's not to be the latest target of a serial killer. Yes, she is protecting her loved ones. No, her problems are not over, for it has barely begun.

My overall experience of this book is primarily based upon the fact that I haven't read the first installment. Alas, I wish I had and by all things fiction and non-fiction I am going to read that book. From the very inception, the reader gets a quick recap concerning what happened in the prior installment and to someone like me who hasn't joined Sam and Gretta on their previous escapade, it helped me to understand what was going on.

The author somehow manages to blend features of a light paranormal romance novel with that of a gripping suspense thriller that keeps one fearing for the protagonist's life all the way. Greek mythology plays a minute part in this novel as Sam and Gretta's ancestors do what they can in and out of Purgatory-In-Tartarus to stop the curse of Gretta's ring. Other characters readers who've read Souls Entwined should look forward to meeting includes Maggie, a prisoner on death row looking to escape, and Raja, a woman trained by a secret organization to kill.

Putting a splendid writing style coupled with an easy-to-follow third person narrative aside, I enjoyed this book. The first third of the novel, considering the tragedies in Gretta's life, might be a bit gloomy, but once the action gets expectorated, it never stops. I recommend this book to readers with extra sets of nails to bite, and who doesn't mind screaming at protagonists for doing or not doing certain things in a novel. My rating is 4 out of 4. I can't wait to find out what happens next, but there's a certain first installment waiting to be read by me first.

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Souls Estranged
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Heidi M Simone · Post by **Heidi M Simone** » 26 Oct 2015, 19:25

Great review, Leon! Sounds like an interesting read!

Post by **bookowlie** » 26 Oct 2015, 21:36

Hey Leon - Great review as always. You have a real knack for selecting quirky, interesting books.

Tanaya · Post by **Tanaya** » 27 Oct 2015, 10:58

Sounds like an interesting book with a cool cover. Prior to reviewing for this site, I don't know that I ever read sequels before reading the first book. But I kinda like it because the world and the characters are already established and you get to dive right in.

Cee-Jay Aurinko · Post by **Cee-Jay Aurinko** » 29 Oct 2015, 09:46

Thanks for your kind words Hsimone, bookowlie, and Tanaya!

Crossroad Readers · Post by **Crossroad Readers** » 29 Oct 2015, 20:44

Great review! This sounds like a great book!

Cee-Jay Aurinko · Post by **Cee-Jay Aurinko** » 30 Oct 2015, 03:45

Thanks Crossroads! It is.

TrishaAnn92 · Post by **TrishaAnn92** » 04 Nov 2015, 07:34

Great review! I love paranormal romances!

Cee-Jay Aurinko · Post by **Cee-Jay Aurinko** » 05 Nov 2015, 11:18

Thanks @TrishaAnne92! I like them too. But probably not as much as you though.

anonanemone · Post by **anonanemone** » 05 Nov 2015, 11:29

This book sounds crazy but interesting. How will all those things fit together? I'll probably start with the first book in the series though.

-- 05 Nov 2015, 11:35 --

Cool! An excerpt from your review is already posted in the Amazon page. At least it references OnlineBookClub too...

Cee-Jay Aurinko · Post by **Cee-Jay Aurinko** » 05 Nov 2015, 12:17

Thanks anonanemone. Reading the first book is a great idea. Is there really an excerpt from my review on Amazon? I have to see this...

-- 05 Nov 2015, 12:21 --

Awe man. It's not mine anonanemone.

rssllue · Post by **rssllue** » 06 Nov 2015, 03:24

Very nice review, Leon. You surely made the book sound intriguing.

Cee-Jay Aurinko · Post by **Cee-Jay Aurinko** » 06 Nov 2015, 07:43

Glad you think so, Rssllue! Thanks.

chytach18- · Post by **chytach18-** » 06 Nov 2015, 10:02

"The author somehow manages to blend features of a light paranormal romance novel with that of a gripping suspense thriller that keeps one fearing for the protagonist's life all the way." An interesting approach. Very well-structured review, Leon.